Celixir

Celixir is a UK-based biotechnology company developing regenerative medicines for diseases with high unmet medical need, including cardiac conditions and cancer. Founded in 2009 as Cell Therapy Limited by Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Martin Evans and Ajan Reginald, the company rebranded to Celixir in 2016. Sir Martin Evans was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2007 for his work in isolating the first embryonic stem cells in 1981. Ajan Reginald, who serves as CEO, has a background in dental surgery and biotechnology and was previously the Global Head of Emerging Technologies at Roche.

The company's business model centers on discovering and developing 'off-the-shelf' cell and gene therapies. This approach aims to provide readily available treatments without the need for patient-specific cell cultivation. Celixir's pipeline includes several product candidates. Its lead cardiac candidate, Heartcel (CLXR-001), consists of immunomodulatory progenitor (iMP) cells designed to regenerate heart tissue in patients with ischemic heart disease. Another candidate, Tendoncel, is a platelet lysate-based therapy for repairing injured tendons and has been in clinical trials for tennis elbow. The company is also developing Myocardion for mild to moderate heart failure and a gene therapy platform using siRNA molecules (CLXR-005) to target cancers like colon and breast cancer.

Celixir has faced significant challenges, including a suspension of its Heartcel clinical trial in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent scrutiny over its clinical trial practices. In July 2024, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued an infringement notice for serious good clinical practice (GCP) violations. In August 2023, after a period of financial difficulty and leadership changes, Celixir was acquired by Ashington Innovation, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in a reverse merger valued at approximately $172.2 million. This deal was intended to revive the company and provide funds for further drug development.

Keywords: regenerative medicine, cell therapy, gene therapy, biopharmaceutical, cardiac regeneration, Heartcel, ischemic heart disease, tendon repair, oncology, siRNA, immunomodulatory progenitor cells, off-the-shelf therapy, clinical trials, Martin Evans, Ajan Reginald, Ashington Innovation, biotechnology, stem cell therapy, heart failure, advanced therapies